Abhaya Subba Weise is the embodiment of a rockstar diva that the country was missing for a long time.[break] Along with her powerful vocals, she might be the only diva in town with a quirky sense of style who can actually represent Nepal in the international arena.
However, the singer’s love for fashion is not new. It came early in her life. “I dressed up differently than others from my teen days.”
She even managed to design her own clothes. “I used to pick up fabrics or buy cheap clothes and stitched them according to my wish. And everyone wanted to know where I got them but they barely knew I used to sew them all night long,” adds Subba with a laugh.
From donning hippie clothes and block heels during the ´90s and even Himachhal topis, the singer frequently experimented with her style. When asked how she defines style, Subba answers, “People noticing you while you enter a room is style. But fashion is all about being part of what’s happening in the present.”
Subba’s style is totally entwined with her music. “Presence of boots and leather clothing in my closet is a proof of it,” concurs the singer, who is currently busy working with her band for their upcoming album. But the singer makes sure that even when she is in her leather she must look elegantly sexy.
“But I always don’t dress up like a rocker. I only go for dramatic look when I perform on stage,” says the lover of roadside picks. For her, the best thing about performing is also the backstage effort she puts in to her clothing. Her style always adds color to the stage.
The singer believes that it’s not about being comfortable on the stage but looking majestic. “Usually, the stages are not good in Nepal, mainly for the local bands. So, I try to create atmosphere with my presence and my clothes help me do that,” adds the singer, who has fetish for shoes.
From her first album days (2005), Subba has been teaming up with local designer Poonam Rai to put together her look. Apart from styling Subba for several occasions, “Poonam has also helped me translate my ideas into clothes,” she adds. Their collaboration can be seen
in Abhaya and The Steam Injun’s second album’s cover — a cinched ball gown in Dhaka fabric with black gloves that added a whiff of rock element.
“She has also made me a leather corset and I’m going to wear it till I stay young,” adds the singer humorously. According to her, the corset will be an heirloom. “I’m going to hand it over to my niece.”
Having realized that she is being consumed by consumerism, Subba is cutting down her shopping train. For this, she also credits her changing attitude towards environment. “I’ve become more environment conscious.” And as a result, she is recycling her old clothes. “I’m even thinking of redesigning my shoes.”
About Abhaya’s ensemble
Stilettos: Mademoiselle, Durbar Marg
Ruffled Dress: Thailand
Tailored Coat: Poonam Rai
Ring: Masala Beads, Thamel
Watch: Jowissa, a Swiss company
Danglers: Road side’s pick
Her takes on style
Style to her: Look good feel good
Shopping Spots: I See It First for shoes, Mademoiselle, Poonam Rai’s designs
Most weird tryouts: Cloak in one of the concerts because I wanted to look like a vampire and epaulets made out of cardboard in one of the jackets for military touch
Must have for a fashion fix: Sky high heels
Obsession: Perfumes
Oldest stylish belonging: My mother’s 45-year-old ring
Style Credo: It’s boring to be influenced by someone else’s style
Style Savant is a column dedicated to stylish people, be it a commoner or a celebrity. Thanks to these people, style just got smarter.
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